There will come a time in life when you need to stay at a hotel. Regardless of your reason for staying at a hotel, you should know exactly what to be on the lookout for. This article will help you learn more.
Check online reviews before booking a room. These provide you with first-hand information about people’s recent experiences at each hotel. Reading other people’s reviews of the hotels you’re considering can really help you decide which one to choose.
Make sure you check out online review websites prior to making a reservation for a hotel. Here, you can read what people had to say about their hotel stay. What patrons have to say about the hotels you are considering can help you make the best decision about where to stay.
There are things to think about when choosing a hotel. Price is important but a shabby, dirty hotel room is no bargain at any price. A pool, a gym, a restaurant, free breakfast, free local calls and free Wi-Fi are other amenities that may be important to you. Try to get yourself a hotel with what you need in it when possible.
Use Orbitz or Expedia to find a great deal. When making hotel reservations, be sure to include information regarding hotel loyalty programs in which you may hold membership. Some organizations like AAA and AARP offer lodging discounts for a variety of hotel chains.
Always check the room before you begin to unpack your belongings. Is the room clean and free from mildew or mold? Is everything in the bathroom working as it should? Do you need extra linens or towels? Call the front desk if you find any issues; they can either fix the problem or give you a different room.
If you want a meal at night, it is much more comfortable to enjoy room service. It might cost a little extra, but it’s definitely worth the bill. Nothing is more enjoyable than having food delivered to your room while you’re in your PJ’s.
Know when check-in time is. If you don’t check, the room may not be ready when you arrive. If you find you will be arriving early, call the hotel in advance and find out if you will be allowed in.
If you take a lot of electronic gadgets with you on a trip, lock them up in the safe when away from the room. Putting your valuable jewelry and electronic items in the hotel safe allows you to feel secure as you enjoy your vacation.
If you want a couples massage, book early. In order to get the best masseurs at these top hotels, you must plan early to ensure that you get a good experience.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding which hotel to stay at. Price is one consideration, but you may also want a hotel that is close to a certain destination. Amenities that help you choose a hotel are free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, exercise room, pool, and a restaurant on the premises. Try to get a room that fits your needs, then start shopping by price.
If you stay in a particular hotel chain, ask about their membership program. Similar to frequent flyer programs, some hotels have programs that give point for each stay. They will get you discounts on the hotel restaurants, spa deals, and just a number of great stuff.
To get the best hotel rooms, use a website online that will help with this. You will typically find websites that provide deals on certain hotel chains. They can also provide you with the average rate for a room at a particular hotel, so you can see if your offer is really a good deal. They can also give you information on nearby attractions, too.
If you care quite a bit about your environment, consider taking a “green” vacation. There are plenty of “green” hotels that take the environment into consideration. Some of the newer hotels are certified green. Many older hotels are environmentally aware and have eco-friendly measures in place. A good travel agent can help you find hotels that are environmentally friendly.
Prior to booking your hotel room, search the Internet for deals. Often, the person booking your room won’t tell you about discounts available online. This is why you should look for discounts yourself. Look to websites like RueLaLaTravel or Jetsetter for more help.
You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. You don’t want to ruin the deal you are getting on your room by paying for an expensive transfer. Ask about this beforehand to save more.
Plan your trip as far in advance as you can to ensure best rates. The earlier you book, the better rate you should get. Even high end hotels can offer you a substantial savings this way.
In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels. This allows you to get more points with each stay that you can convert into free rooms and other benefits on your next family vacation.
Most hotels are not pet-friendly. Call before you book so that you know for sure. Ask about their pet policy. Many hotels have restrictions on the breed and size of pet allowed on the premises.
Steer clear of long distance calls while in a hotel. Use your cell phone or the Internet. A lot of hotels offer Skype connections over Wi-Fi. You can stay in touch with work or family without the high cost of a call from the phone in your room.
One of the best bonuses of a AAA membership is great discounts on booking a hotel. Are you aware that the auto club you belong to may offer you excellent hotel discounts? You can save 5 percent or even more on hotels around the country. The savings can really add up nightly.
Find out if the hotel you’re staying at has a functioning pool for the kids. If you arrive at your hotel and the pool is closed, your kids will be very disappointed.
If you travel often, consider signing up for a loyalty program with your favorite hotel chain. These programs provide benefits to guests who book the same hotel regularly. The rewards can include free room upgrades, free meals and movie or show tickets tickets. The points can add up.
When you look for bed bugs, start in the bathroom. This is the place where you are least likely to find them. This is the best place to put your bags while you look around. It’s also a safe spot for kids and pets to sit for a bit too.
Membership Programs
Ascertain whether or not the hotel you plan to stay at allows smoking. If you are a non-smoker, you may not want to stay in a smoking room. Even if you stipulate that your room should be non-smoking, second hand smoke can still enter your room. There are even cases where people are smoking in non-smoking rooms before you arrive. If you don’t want to smell like cigarettes after leaving your hotel room, you might want to look for a non-smoking hotel.
In order to enhance your hotel visits, especially when traveling for work, you should consider joining membership programs that hotels provide. Examples include membership programs provided by Marriott or Choice Hotels. These points can translate into some major perks when you’re vacationing.
You should understand that early check-ins to hotels are not usually possible. So, you may have to sit for a while in the lobby or find a way to occupy yourself until checking in if you are going to be arriving early. Before you can enjoy your room, hotels need to clean the room properly. You can request an early check-in ahead of time, but it may cost more.
Making a long distance call from a hotel room should be avoided. Try using the Internet, instead. Some hotels now provide Skype via Wi-Fi. Use these to keep up with loved ones or colleagues back home from the comfort of your hotel room instead of racking up costly phone calls from the nightstand.
Always let the hotel know if you need a crib for your stay at the hotel. Not every hotel will be able to accommodate you. There also may be an added charge for these things. Talk about your needs when you reserve a spot so you don’t get surprised with something you won’t like.
Look into the smoking policies in the hotel you are considering. If you’re not a smoker, a smoking room may be unappealing. You can still get a room that’s non-smoking, but the smoke can flow in the air and get on all your clothes. Smokers also sometimes smoke in rooms that you are not supposed to smoke in. If you want to avoid smelling like cigarettes when you leave, you may wish to consider a non-smoking hotel.
If it all possible, never check out before your scheduled departure date. Some hotels charge a fee for early departure. A booked hotel room is taken off the market, meaning your early departure would cost them money. That is why you are charged a fee.
You should always be aware whether or not the hotel allows pets. If you dislike or have allergies to pets, steer clear of hotels that allow pets. The hotels may have the smell of pet odors on the linens and floor. Some hotels have an extra fee for pets, and the charge is not much in some places. It might not be adequate to the cost of cleaning demands.
For hygienic purposes, you may want to avoid using the bedspread that the hotel provides. Most hotels only wash the sheets on the bed; however, the bedspread is normally not washed. This bedspread could be a source of germs. Pull it off for peace of mind.
Never check out earlier than your scheduled departure unless it is absolutely necessary. The hotel may charge you a fee for your early departure. Booked hotel rooms are taken off the market, so if you leave early, the hotel loses money. So make sure that you know the hotel’s policy on checking out a day or two early – it might cost you.
You have rights in the event where a hotel needs to “walk” you. Hotels sometimes over-book, and this can leave you without a room. The hotel will then “walk” you, or send you out to another hotel. If you cannot avoid this situation, you need to be booked at a comparable hotel or upgraded room for your troubles.
You may wish to use a different blanket than the comforter that is in your hotel room. Sheets and blankets are washed regularly, while bedspreads usually aren’t. This can make it full of bacteria, germs, and other unknown elements. Remove the blanket from the bed to have peace of mind.
To get the best rate on your hotel room, never book while the very peak of tourist season is in full swing. Rooms are usually very expensive at that point in time. Book when the hotel is empty for the best deals. This will get you a real bargain.
As previously mentioned, everyone stays in a hotel at one time or another. Regardless of the reason that necessitates a hotel stay, you must be informed before you choose a hotel. With the tips from this article, you will be sure to find a great hotel at a good price.
If you must secure a room when you are driving to a location, visit a rest stop in the state you are going to. Pick up a few tourist brochures which should have hotel information and possibly even discounts. Use that information to call a hotel and get your room all booked.
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